Inspection device



oq. 23, 1945 J, YOST 2,387,697

INSPECTION 'DEVICE Filed May 2, 1942 2 Smeets-Sheet l 45 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ATTORNEdYr/:M/07

Oct. 23, 1945.

K. J. YOST 2,387,697

.INSPECTION DEVICE Filed May 2, 1942 l 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR KQBHYQUH LlYmT 'E ATTORNEY Patented ct. 23, 1945 omi-eo PATENT' eonri.,ooor1foiati`on of Delaware Appiiootionmay 2, 1942,- soriaiNoQoii-,sta l idioms; (C1. zoesal The present invention' relates to-an improved inspection device,` particularly for-use in eonn'ec` ition with the fe'ed-l of a row of articlesj into' a ma# chine for operating uponr them, as `forinst-.ane a draw-press,A and wherein the 'articles must not only be arrangedin proper' upright position', but mustbe of the correctsize for the particulartmaA chine, and 1in-'deformed in shape. It is ain# object of .thefinvention to provide such anl inspection? clef# which will passt articles along the' feedjline' which are in proper position or cori-ect size, andi uri-deformed;` but will stop the feest of any arl; ticlee failing to meet these requirements-- l While the invention is; capable of useavvithvariwous typesl of articles and' feed lines; aswillbe ap-V parent from the following description-,theein" bodimenton the invention illustrated: hereinl` by'` way of example is particularly concerned the inspection; and feed-stopping# ofv the metal l cup pieces from which Yare drawn cartridge cases These pieces are the form of a; shallow,y heavy- Walled` cylindrical'1 cup,i1sually received by the' cartridge manufacturer iirom-A metal-` manufac-4 turersf and inY the cartridge manufacturing pro-f ced-ure areindividua'lly fed to the :ii-rst draw#pressi` by africtiondialwhich normally carriesthe cups forwardfintorelation to the feed slide ofthe' ment ofr thecu-psisobstructed.V The meta-l suppliers sometimes inadvertently mix cups of differentfsizes, and cups areysometimes deformed; so that the-'Wall which` is normally' cylindrical-l may be-'ovaLfor maybeindentedf or otherwise defo'rnievzlL fromF its normal shape: andV it these wrong-'sized o1:v deformed cups-reachithe'draw-press the draw; ing punch cannot enter them; and considerable damage to the tools and delay isI aptl to resulto Such damage and delay willf alscwresult it a foreign object is nestedY in the cup or if ay cup reaches*- the draw-press ani inverted; posit-ion, that*` isf withI its closed end upl instead@ of in its no1-*mal` open-endupv` position. The present ded vice wintended: to detect and stop the feeding It is proposed in the present freni-lot to pro: vide an inspection devi romano star-wheel having" toad; or' one teeth` of the previoii'srly` know of buttons, eeen o'oristifoutiy 'arQ'vvhe'l ai siia 4e al cylindr'icl adapted to be automatically iii-toi the cular open end o-f a perfect cup but which will5 i ent-'er one Whi'clilis undersi.'Ze':"l;l-,defoiniect,ti inverted or contains foreign objectsa A further object is to provide a cup inspehti star-wheel provided with bili-,tonenl each having a projecting spherical nose or crownpoi'rtioh ii entering! the cup'cavity' and detcrmiin-'g thatltis'i ot proper depth and free' fror foreign objects@ and aconnecting conicall' surface between@- siich?= spherical inose and the cylindrical gauge surfaftlE of the button which willL clear the edges` oil the cups as they' are fed and' passed along: thefeedi line with the cups eitherl single or ini su'cm'ssiveA contacting relation Witheachothei.- Conequently, the buttons are so shapedithat one but# .ton Will disch-gage from-one cupi aethe following button entersa successive cupwith two cup wall-V thicknesses moving in the space -between the butltons This is the condition Whenraflineot perfect cups isbeingY fedv without interruptioni InL cas of one ofthe cups beingv stopped' because ofbeing1 undersized'r deformed or inverted this-cup may be removed while the preceding Acup in' thec line@ has been passed and is; out of` engagementr With#- the star-'wheel buttons whi'clr may then` be'fin` n indeterminate positionzf In case; the next* ofany cups which` are notof the` c'orre'ct-size-and:` o

formation, which are not proper ofp'enuenc up position, or which foreigny objects` are nested; whereupon the ma'chinefope'rator may remove such cupsfromithefeeddinez l Heretoforer it beenl the practica toI employ' arfreelyf' rotating` sbar-wheeli device in the4 feedi` having relatively teethA designed to enNM gaige` the; open endI off the' clips and pass themf thefee'dI line, butswliich stopsthef feed of in: vertedl cupsgwasfwell-asl cups which a'refne'stedl foreign: meets;-` This` previous-1y known stoof-:- sli nextsucceedinecup.

cup' toV be fed intof relation' with thel stair-Wheelf is the first cup in theA i'ee'dA line' and' engages at its outer wall surf ace' with the' particular button thatl may beV positioned in its pathl inllJh'e-feedline :mit causes` the star-Wheel to rotate In thisoase there isvon'lyasing-le cup Wall thickness-between* the niiet-engaged button-andthe followingbuttoxr which is-to enter theA cavity of"l the cupi and: io is an object of the invention to' provide auch* spacing of the but-tons and' such-clearance inthe buttonfsuriacesfthat the'but-.ton followmgothebut: tonni'st engaged' and propelledL by lthe cupwillf freely enter the cup cavity and Wilbthereuponbe' propelled its rotation bythefforward ot the cup; which itselfL- ie propelled forwardly by the following cups inthe feedy line. Accordi-f ingly, *chester-wheelofitheinventiont is-Such'thatf aA cupJ iscapable of `pickingy up' and fotating'l the? star-wheel from any position of the star-willedK Without'blocking` movementl off the wheelE by the With the above and other objects in view, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully describedy with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 Vis a plan view of the cup feed part of draw-press, provided with an inspection device accordingto the'illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention.

are suitably supported above the dial by means of bracket members 2| secured to the table It. At the forward end of the guide-way formed by the parallel walls I9 and 20 these walls diverge to provide a converging entrance for the cup mem bers, the wall I9 being extended in concentric relation to the outer periphery of the dial to the Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 2 2 of Fig, l.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing one of the cup members partially in vertical section in relation thereto. Y

Fig. 5 is a side elevation and showing a row of cup members in vertical section, one of the cup members being in vertical aligned relation with the axis of the star-wheel. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, showing the row of cup members `advanced and the star-wheel rotated from the position as shown in Fig. 5 and with the lline of contact between two cup members vertically aligned with the axis of the starwheel: o

Fig. '7l is a side elevation showing an inverted cup member in its position as stopped by the Star-Wheel.

Fig-8 is a side` elevationshowing the relation of the first cup memberof a row or a single cup member at the point when it engages the starwheel to be passed under it and showing in dotand-dash ,lines a further advanced position wherera button member is engaging its open end.

Fig. v9 .is a side elevation' showing the inspection device of the invention as applied to an inclined gravity feedarticle guiding chute.

- Fig. 10 is a side velevation showing a modification' including a counting device.

. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

iReferring tothe drawings, the draw-press il. lustrated by way of example in Figs. 1 to 8, is provided with a horizontal table I0 having a circular opening II therein in which is engaged the cup: feeding dial I2 mounted upon a drive shaft I3, the upper surface of the dial being flush with the upper surface Yof the table. Adjacent the pe-l riphery of the table there is provided a slidewayglkhaving. a reciprocating cup feeding slide L5l engaged therein and having .its upper surface'.` flushV with the upper surface of the table I0 and the dial I2, this slide being provided with a cup receiving-pocket I6, which in one position ofmovement of the slide is in vertical line with the draw-punch II and draw-die I8, and in the other position of movement is in line with the cup feeding guide-way.

--flhe cupA feedingvguide-way consists of a pair ofparallelside-wall members I9 and 20 extendinglforl `ashort distance over the table I Il from theslide I 5P-to the surface of the dial,and extending` for asubstantial distance over the dial opposite side thereof, as at I9, `andthe wall 20 being curved rearwardly and extended transversely across the face of the dial to the opposite side, as at 20e, to provide a relatively large area upon the dial surface, enclosed by the wall portions I9 and 20e, in which the cup members'may be placed in quantity either manually or by suitable mechancal means, the movement of the dial forcing the cup members toward and into the guide-way entrance.

At the forward end of the parallel wall guideway, adjacent the converging entrance point where the cup members form into a single row in the guide-way, there is provided the inspection device according to the invention. "This de vice comprises a mounting bracket 22 provided at the lower portion of'its inner side with an arcuate recess 23 conforming to the curvature of the guide-way wall member I9 and engaged upon the outer side of the wall I9 and secured thereto by screws 24. The bracket extends vertically above the wall I9, and is provided with'a vertical shaft mounting slot 25, the axis -of which is in radial line with the supporting shaft 26 for the rotary star-wheel, this shaft having atfits outer end a retaining head 21 and at itsin-ner end a reduced diameter threaded attaching stud 28, engaged through the slot 25 and secured therein by a nut 29. The slot 25 permits limited vertical adjustment of the shaft and starwheel.

The star-wheel comprises a hub 30 mounted for free rotation upon the shaft 26, and preferably provided with an oil hole 3| for convenient lubrication of the bearing. I Within the cylindrical periphery of the lhub there are provided a series of cylindrical radially disposed pockets 32 in which are engaged the cylindrical shank por; tions 33 of the button members, secured therein by cross pins 34 rivet-headed over at theirV ends. Various profiles and combinations ofA curves may be employed for the button members as desired. Merely, by wayof example, one form of a button member may include a-cylindrical cup gauging portion 35 adjacentthe hub, a projected spherical nose portion 36, having a radius somewhat less than the radius of theY diameter of the cylindrical gauge portion .35,v and a connecting cone portion' -31'between the outerend of thecylindrical gauge portion 35 and the spherical nose portion 36, its surface beingtangential to the surface of the noseportion.` It should Vbe pointed out that the diameter of the cylindrical gauge portion 35, the radius and projection of the nose portion 36, andthe spacing between the several button members of the star-wheel are calculated withrelation tothe shape and dimensions of the particular typeof cup member beingrinspected, having. inview the diameter of the-cup member, its wall thickness, its heightVandvthe depth of its open-end pocket... In practice,ithe diameter of the gauge portion 35 isslightly less than the diameter of the pocket'of the cup mem.-

ber, so that it will engage within the cylindrical pocket with just suilicient clearance to permit the button to be rotated'into and out, of engagement with 4the cupA member fasit Vis,moved/.by the dial along the guide-way. Any slight'varia-w.

agencer tioiimthe normalcylindrical shape ofthe-pocket willlnt :allow the 'eylmdrlca1 .gauge portion` I5 off the .button member tofengage, Itherein.:` f The spacingofthe buttonmembers in the stariwneel isfdeter'mined bytlie. wall Athickness of the cup members scthattlvo wall thicknesses of a-pairlof adiacerit` cup` members will pass. between? :two of `tnefbutto'n members aswthe star-wheel is rotated Vciten-endpocketo-fthis single'or first cup mem- `stopped in engagement with the up-turned button surface of the cup member and stopping rotation of the star-wheel. This prevents movement `of the next cup member A in front of the inverted cup member until the operatorA of the machine removes the inverted cup member from the line, whereupon the star-wheel is free to rotate. In the case of a deformed cup member,

Vor a small size cup member, the button will be prevented from entering the open-end as the cylindrical gauge portion will not t it, and rotation of the star-wheel will be stopped until the deformed or undersized cup is removed. In Fig.

1, I have illustrated among the cup members on the dial a perfect open-end up cup member A, an inverted cup member A1, an undersized cup member A2, and a deformed cup member A3.

A forked stripper 40 with forked ends 4I straddling the buttons is shown in Figs. 3 and 5 which may be used if desired to insure removal of cups from the buttons. The other end of the stripper may be fastened in any suitable manner to the frame of the machine.

A further modification is shown in Fig. 10 wherein a conventional counting mechanism is attached to the star-wheel so as to count the number of cups passing. The revolution counter 43, of any well known type, is fastened to bracket 44, which in turn is held stationary relative to the bracket 22 by nut 29. A hole 45 may be drilled through bolt 46 and a pin 41 passed therethrough. The end 48 of pin 41 may be fastened .to plate 49 so as to turn with the hub 30. Plate 49 is fastened to hub 30 by means of screws 52. The opposite end 5l of the pin 41 may be fastened in a suitable manner to the operating shaft of the counter. The head 50 of bolt 46'may be countersunk as indicated. It is to be understood that the mounting means shown is merely examplary. The counter thus will be operated by the hub 30 through plate 49 and pin 41.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated an alternative form of feed line in which the star-wheel according to the invention may be incorporated. This ccnsists of an inclined chute member 38 along which the cpmempers are propelled by gravity to the drawpress or other macnineythestarwheel supe porting bracket being mounted upon one sidewall or the chute and thel star-wheel beinsfdisposed and operated'in the readline in: substantially the same 4marmer asrln the` diahpropelled feed line. vThe Y forniV of the-linvention illustrated in the drawing` and-1 described herein is typical and -i1- Iustratlve only, enduit is evident that the `inv tion'is capable csf-embodiments in other forma all `fallingLwithinthe `scope of the appended' claims, 'which rare? to be broadly construed.

i-Wnatis claimedis: i y l i i .-1 Lilli an inspection device for `afe'ed `line of cyiindricalawalled open-crid-up4 cup .f members propelled in a guide-way in single file arrange# ment, a starfwheellrotatably arranged in saidf` guldwaycomprlsinga hub anda series vof radial eduallyhspaced button `memberscarried by said hubl'daptedas said feed line is propelled to suc cessively engage the open upper ends of successive cup members in said feed line through rotation of said star-wheel, each of said button mem- Ibers comprising a cylindrical gauge portion adjacent the hub normal to the radial button axis adapted to t the cylindrical open end of said cup members with slight Clearance, a projecting spherical nose portion having its radius less than the radius of said cylindrical gauge portion, and a clearance portion between said nose portion and said cylindrical gaugev portion.

2. In an inspection device for a feed line of cylindrical-walled open-end-up cup members propelled in a guide-way in single file arrangement, a star-wheel rotatably arranged in said guide-Way comprising a hub and a series of radial equally spaced button members carried by said hub adapted as said feed line is propelled to successively engage the open upper ends of successive cup members in said feed line through rotation of said star-wheel, each of said button members comprising a cylindrical gauge portion adjacent the hub normal to the radial button axis adapted to fit the cylindrical open end oi' said cup members with slight clearance, a projecting spherical nose portion having its radius less than the radius of said cylindrical gauge portion, and a conical clearance portion tangential to said spherical nose portion and extending to the outer edge of said cylindrical gauge portion.

3. In an inspection device for a feed line of cylindrical-walled open-end-up cup members propelled in a guide-way in single file arrangement, a star-wheel rotatably arranged in said guide-way comprising a hub and a series of radial equally spaced button members carried by said hub adapted as said feed line is propelled to successively engage the open upper ends of successive cup members in said feed line through rotation of said star-wheel, each of said button members comprising a cylindrical gauge portion adjacent the hub normal to the radial button axis adapted to nt the cylindrical open end of said cup members with slight clearance as the radial button axis is in line with the central axis of the cup member, a projecting spherical nose portion having its radius less than the radius of said cylindrical gauge portion, and a conical clearance portion tangential to said spherical nose portion and extending to the outer edge of said cylindrical gauge portion, the radial spacing of said button members being such with respect to the wall diameter and height of said cup members that two wall thicknesses of a pair of ad-A jacent contacting cup members mayipassdbetween the ycylindrical gauge surfacesfof" adjacent button 4; In ani nspectiongdevice' for a 'feed l"of cylindrical-walled open-end-up cup members propelled in aguide-way in single'learrangement, a star-,Wheel rotatably arrangedV in said guide-(way comprising ahub. and a series of radial equallyzspaced'button members carriedby said hub adapted as said feed line is propelled to successively engage the open upper endsjoffsuccessive, cup members'in said feed `line through rotation of said star-whee1,1each of `said 'button memberscomprising a cylindrical gauge portion adjacent the hub normal to the radial button axiswadapted to fit the cylindricalopen end of said cui)v members with slight clearance as the radial button axis is in line with the centra1 axis ofthe cup-member, a, projectingspherical nose portion having its radius less than the radius of saidcylindrical gauge portion, and aiconical clearance. portion tangential to saidl spherical betweenthe cylindrical gauge surfaces of adjacent buttonmembers, and the radius andvprojection ofnsaid nose portions being such with respect `to the radial spacing of said button membersand` thewall diameter and `height of said cup members that a single cup member engaged at its :outer wall surface with one of .said button members` will ythrough rotation of said star-l wheei-be freely engaged'at its open end by the next following button member of said star-wheel.

KENNEI'H J.l Yos'r. 

